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Health Library

Eisenmenger Syndrome

What is Eisenmenger syndrome?

Eisenmenger syndrome is a condition that includes a collection of symptoms: cyanosis (pale blue or grayish skin due to decreased oxygen in the blood), pulmonary hypertension (high pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs), and erythrocytosis (increased number of red blood cells due to decreased oxygen in the blood).

Eisenmenger syndrome primarily affects adolescents and adults with certain congenital heart defects that are repaired late (after early childhood, or later) or that are never repaired. In rare circumstances, Eisenmenger syndrome can occur in children born with pulmonary hypertension. In these patients, symptoms related to cyanosis may occur much earlier in life.

What causes Eisenmenger syndrome?

Eisenmenger syndrome develops over time as a result of the effects of high blood pressure in the lungs. This high blood pressure, or pulmonary hypertension, occurs because of congenital heart defects that cause blood to flow from the left side of the heart to the right side of the heart (left-to-right shunt). Congenital heart defects of this type include:

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). A connection between the aorta and the pulmonary artery that allows oxygen-rich (red) blood that should go to the body to recirculate through the lungs.

Atrial septal defect (ASD). An opening in the atrial septum, or dividing wall between the two upper chambers of the heart known as the right and left atria.

Ventricular septal defect (VSD). An opening in the ventricular septum, or dividing wall between the two lower chambers of the heart known as the right and left ventricles.

Atrioventricular canal defect (AV canal). A heart problem that involves several abnormalities of structures inside the heart, including an ASD, VSD, and improperly formed mitral and/or tricuspid valves.

Because the pressures in the left side of the heart are normally greater than those in the right side of the heart, an opening between the left and right sides of the heart will cause blood to flow from the left side of the heart into the right side. This left-to-right shunting causes increased blood flow into the blood vessels of the lungs. The increased blood flow in the lungs’ blood vessels causes increased pressure in these vessels (pulmonary hypertension).

If the pulmonary hypertension continues without treatment, the pressure in the right side of the heart may increase to the point that the right side pressure is greater than the left. When this occurs, blood will flow from the right side of the heart to the left (right-to-left shunt), which means that oxygen-poor blood is mixed with the oxygen-rich blood normally pumped out to the body from the left ventricle.

This reversal of the shunt (right-to-left shunt) causes insufficient oxygen in the blood. In addition, high pressure in the lungs causes progressive changes in the pulmonary blood vessels that result in irreversible damage to the lining of these blood vessels. Fibrosis (the growth of scar tissue following an infection, inflammation, or injury), and thrombus (clotting) may also occur. The changes inside the lung blood vessels may be referred to as pulmonary vascular obstructive disease or secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

What are common symptoms or complications of Eisenmenger syndrome?

Symptoms:

Cyanosis (pale blue or grayish skin due to decreased oxygen in the blood)

Dyspnea on exertion (shortness of breath with activity)

Shortness of breath at rest

Fatigue

Chest pain or chest tightness

Heart palpitations ("skipping beats or racing”)

Headache

Dizziness or syncope (fainting)

Paresthesias (numbness and/or tingling of fingers and toes)

Blurred vision

Complications:

Blood clots (for example, deep vein thrombosis in extremities)

Hemorrhage (bleeding)

Stroke

Brain abscesses

Gout

Worsening of symptoms or new onset of complications can be early warning signs of changes in overall condition and should be evaluated by your doctor as soon as possible.

The symptoms of Eisenmenger syndrome may resemble other medical conditions or heart problems. Always consult your doctor for a thorough evaluation.

How is Eisenmenger syndrome diagnosed?

A child or adolescent with a history of an atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), or atrioventricular canal defect (AV canal) that has been unrepaired or repaired after years is at risk for developing Eisenmenger syndrome.

The doctor may note a change or increase in intensity of a cardiac murmur (a blowing or rasping sound heard while listening to the heart that may or may not indicate problems within the heart or circulatory system) during a routine physical examination. Complaints of change in exercise tolerance or any associated shortness of breath, chest pain, or palpitations, especially with activity, should be reported to the doctor for further investigation.

The doctor will perform a physical examination, listening to the heart and lungs, and make other observations that help in the diagnosis. Other tests that may be performed to help with the diagnosis include the following:

Chest X-ray. A diagnostic test that uses invisible X-ray energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film. There may be changes that take place in the lungs due to extra blood flow that can be seen on an X-ray.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). A test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle stress.

Echocardiogram (echo). A procedure that evaluates the structure and function of the heart by using sound waves recorded on an electronic sensor that produce a moving picture of the heart and heart valves. An echo can show the direction of blood flow through the source of a shunting lesion, such as a PDA, and determine how large the opening is, as well as estimate the amount of blood passing through it.

Cardiac catheterization. A cardiac catheterization is an invasive procedure that gives very detailed information about the structures inside the heart. Under sedation, a small, thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel in the groin, and guided to the inside of the heart. In a typical catheterization, pressure and oxygen measurements are taken in the four chambers of the heart, as well as the pulmonary artery and aorta. In some cases, contrast dye may also be injected to more clearly visualize the blood flow and structures inside the heart.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body. MRI may be used to clarify the amount and direction of blood shunting.

Treatment for Eisenmenger syndrome

Specific treatment for Eisenmenger syndrome will be determined by your doctor based on:

Your age, overall health, and medical history

Rate of progression and extent of the disease

Tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies

Expectations for the course of the disease

Personal opinion or preference

The goals of treatment for Eisenmenger syndrome are aimed at decreasing the pulmonary artery pressure, improving oxygenation, and decreasing degree of cyanosis and erythrocytosis. Treatment methods may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Medical treatment. Medical treatment for Eisenmenger syndrome is based on symptoms. Types of medical treatments include:

Medications. Medications that help to decrease pulmonary hypertension may be prescribed. These medications include calcium channel blockers, prostacyclin, and endothelin receptor antagonists, and work to dilate blood vessels to lower the blood pressure in the lungs. If right heart failure develops, diuretics (water pills) may be prescribed to help decrease blood volume.

Oxygen. Supplemental oxygen may be used during sleep periods or while resting. Use of oxygen may progress to continuous use for symptom relief.

Phlebotomy. Phlebotomy (removal of blood) should not be done frequently, but may be recommended when erythrocytosis causes hyperviscosity (extreme thickness) of the blood. The volume of the blood removed is replaced with intravenous (IV) saline solution to thin the blood. Phlebotomy is generally done only when symptoms are severe and/or the hematocrit (the percentage of blood that is made up of red blood cells) becomes extremely elevated.

Other treatments. Eisenmenger syndrome that develops as a result of a congenital heart defect that was never repaired is generally not treated by repairing the original defect, as it would increase the workload on the right ventricle and lead to a poor outcome. Lung transplantation or heart-lung transplantation may be considered when other treatments are no longer effective.

Long-term outlook with Eisenmenger syndrome

Some individuals with Eisenmenger syndrome who have no other health complications may live into middle adulthood, and a few may survive into the fifth or sixth decade of life.

Considerations related to Eisenmenger syndrome include, but are not limited to, the following:

Pregnancy is not recommended for women with Eisenmenger’s syndrome. Pregnancy may be dangerous for the mother and may cause complications for the fetus due to effects of low oxygen levels in the blood.

Any anesthesia and surgery is considered high risk and should be carefully planned. Collaboration with a cardiac specialist is recommended.

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